MrMicrophone

Llyw, Littlefinger says that he's of a noble house (when he's explaining his nickname to Sansa and Arya) -- he's just of a very, very minor noble house, holders of a scrap of useless land. If the Arryns and Tullies and Starks are all up at Archduke status (Warden of the Cardinal Direction certainly says "commands most everyone"), then Littlefinger's down at the level of a Baron or so -- just barely at "inheritable title." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_and_noble_ranks

Pretty sure Littlefinger fostered with the Tully daughters (@ the Riverlands), and Brandon just showed up at some point -- this was when Littlefinger challenged him to a duel.

ging, "There is simply no logical reason for Mance's army of ragtag woods folks to be so motherfucking pissed off at people South of the Wall, yanno?" ... 800 years of NW killing Wildlings? It's harsh country up there, and kill the men and the entire tribe might die, particularly in winter. Theon's family has been just as fucking stupid -- and they're not supposed to be Borderlanders (am I the only one thinking Borderlander==Wildling?)

Choc, The ratio of "good Castle Defense" to "marauding army" appears to be 1 man worth around 10, judging by the Frey's force kept back in the first season. If Hodor has giant's blood in him, at least some of the wildlings must be filtering south of the wall, at some time...

"Him cradling her body in the middle of a raging battle isn't so great." ... a Show makes me expect him to have to defend himself using her body. Feh! Why give him plot armor...? abe, yeah, story metabolism AWOL. They could have done...something? with KL, then had most of the battle (end with Ygritte dying -- would seem less awkward as a closing shot.) And leave us on tenterhooks for what happens next week. Mance's weapon is Fear. He spends a very small portion of his force, and then lets the NW desert. Or parley, or something (ten days of constant vigilance, and then a night attack?...nah...).

Alpha, Either the villages aren't close (possible, with marauding wildlings constantly trying to attack) or they're fief to Last Hearth or some other Northern Holdfast. Robb's Army took most of the more active Northern Lords with it -- wouldn't be surprised if the Umber's "bran-clone" was unlikely to send his few remaining men to the communal defense. Especially when the wildlings are marauding south of the wall.

Dany the Ice Queen IS dany breaking inside. She is queen, she can't show weakness.

Demos, That's the thing, though. Everyone's a hero in their own freaking story around here. Even Machiavellian Tywin -- "look at how much money and soldiers lives I saved!" Jaime's a hero for killing the Mad King. Robert's a hero for winning The War. Bran's a hero for (hopefully) Fixing The Actual Problem (with the white walkers) By Heading North. Robb's a hero who tried to free/avenge his father. Alpha, The Wildlings are the perpetual threat... (granted, not on this scale). They're also a known threat -- it's known how to deal with invaders or raiders (even if they Aren't Named Greyjoy). I doubt sending a message about the wildlings would get the Night's Watch more men than sending a message about white walkers. ... because the Night's Watch is always asking for more men.

Stannis' storyline is full of missed opportunities. A much stronger focus on Stannis (Ambition!) versus Mellisandre (Holy Right!), as Stannis is forced to choose between marching on Kings Landing and going North, would have made a far more interesting storyline. And as a bonus, we could all be rooting for stannis to listen to Mel.

White, you definitely have his father's name wrong. Maekor (I think) was the actual name. Someone check with the Subtitles!

white, I didn't get the impression either of them were married, so if anyone's still on this coil, it might be a father or an uncle. ... and I think it's a house. Do non-house people get last names? Even Littlefinger has a house!

Glory, I think, and this is speculation, that House Clegane has sworn allegiance to the Lannisters, just as the Boltons and the Karstarks have sworn to House Stark.

Catelyn mentions the Late Lord Frey arriving late to The Trident. I'm unclear which war this battle is tied to (if any?)

Alpha, those are at least specific nicknames. She can't add "everyone who is ever bad" to her murder list, can she?

shimp, I put "menacing Sansa" down as part of the whole "break her illusions before she REALLY gets hurt" shtick that Cersei also subscribes to. Both the Hound and Cersei believe they're truly helping the poor chit, by shattering her childish beliefs. I think the Hound and Jaime are on the redemption train, but that they may step off it at any minute. This show likes everyone to be gray, even Bolton's Bastard and Joffrey (who are as near to black as they can get, save Gregor).